Arctic Steps makes giant strides at Down Royal

Rajala scores for Weld and Hayes

Hayes at double aboard On A Session

Plenty of ability and he has had a good long career in England. I think he mightn't have won for two seasons but he has picked up nearly £200,000 along the way. I think he was second in three premier handicaps in Galway when they brought him over. He had a bit of an injury there that had him out for a year and he came to me at the start of this year. We have freshened him up and whatever. Turning track and produced late works beautifully. A lot of pace early on and Chris got to drop him in, slipped round the inside and then thankfully he tacked out because my other horse ran into a bit of traffic problems up the inside. He's riding very well and delighted to get a win for that horse. If he could sneak into a premier handicap somewhere and Garry (O'Gorman, handicapper) isn't too hard on him, I imagine that is where we would go. He needs a bit of luck in running as well.

Eric Lock off the mark in the north

It is a long time coming. I'd say seven (furlongs) is just pushing it - five is too short and I'd say six is about right. He had a couple of quick runs and we gave him a little break. Hopefully now that he has got his head in front, maybe he will go on and win again somewhere. He (handicapper) can't put him up too much anyway.

McManus-homebred wins His Majesty's Plate

McCreery's filly upsets Aintree festival winner

Navy Waters is hardy and tough. She had two lovely runs and I put the visor on because she didn't help Nathan the last time she ran in Ballinrobe: I thought she travelled lovely today. It was a real sprint from the corner (bend) and she put her head down on the right spot. Her dam won over two miles so I'll take the visor back off her next time and she could go up to 1m4f. She has a lovely way of going, she's a nice lazy filly and keeps saving for herself.